Exploring Animal Habitats & Adaptations

Vocabulary flashcards covering core habitat necessities, key ecological terms, Earth habitats, and ecosystem interactions from the Life Science lesson plan.

Habitat

The natural home or environment where an animal or plant normally lives and grows.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with the non-living elements of their environment.

Adaptation

A body structure or behavior that helps an organism survive in its environment.

Camouflage

Coloration or patterns that help an animal blend in with its surrounding environment.

Predator

An animal that naturally hunts, kills, and feeds on other animals for food.

Prey

An animal that is hunted and eaten by other animals.

Shelter

One of the four essential habitat components that provides protection from weather and predators.

Space

One of the four essential habitat components that provides adequate territory to hunt, forage, and raise young.

Desert Habitat

A habitat characterized by an extremely dry climate with hot days, cool nights, limited water supply, and intense heat.

Arctic Tundra

A habitat characterized by freezing temperatures, strong winds, permafrost, extreme cold, and sparse vegetation.

Tropical Rainforest

A habitat characterized by a warm climate, high humidity, abundant rainfall year-round, and high competition for light and food.

Ocean / Marine

A saltwater aquatic environment varying in depth and temp, where key challenges include breathing underwater, pressure, and buoyancy.

Producers

Plants / Vegetation that capture Sunlight to form the base of an ecosystem interaction model.

Primary Consumers

Prey Animals that consume Producers in an ecosystem interaction model.

Apex Predators

Carnivores at the top of an ecosystem interaction model that prey on primary consumers.